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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 26 May 2009 [PDF]
• May 25 airpower summary: C-17s provide intra-theater airlift AFNS 26 May 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and ISAF troops in Afghanistan during operations.
• Picatinny 'rolls out' new version of SPARK IED-defeat product Army News 26 May 2009 -- Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan received improved technology to help them combat one of the greatest threats.
• U.S., Iraqi Forces Detain 4, Find Weapons in Central Iraq AFPS 26 May 2009 -- Coalition and Iraqi forces detained four suspected insurgents and found weapons in operations in central Iraq.
• Roadside Bomb in Iraq Kills 3 VOA 26 May 2009 -- US military says three people, including an American soldier, have been killed in a roadside bombing on a US convoy near the Iraqi city of Fallujah.
• Airmen Contribute to the Fight in Iraq, Kuwait AFPS 26 May 2009 -- 586th Air Expeditionary Group one of 3 Air Force groups organized to complete joint expeditionary taskings.
• Iraqi Air Force Graduates Aircrew, Dedicates New Buildings AFPS 26 May 2009 -- Iraqi air force graduated its first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircrew members.
• U.S., Afghan Forces Kill 84, Detain 14 in Combat Operations AFPS 26 May 2009 -- Coalition and Afghan forces killed 84 militants and detained 14 more in recent operations throughout Afghanistan.
• Suicide bomber kills 6 in Afghanistan in attack on ISAF convoy RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- A suicide bomber attacked an International Security Assistance Force convoy in Afghanistan's province of Kapisa.
• Afghans Say Iranian-Made Weapons Seized In Helmand RFE/RL 26 May 2009 -- Afghan officials: Iranian-made weapons found in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province.
• Rights Group: 97 Afghan Civilians Killed in US Strikes VOA 26 May 2009 -- An Afghan rights group says a U.S. air strike in western Afghanistan earlier this month killed up to 97 civilians.
• Air National wing reaches milestone of 600 lives saved AFNS 26 May 2009 -- Air National Guardsmen from rescued 2 ANA soldiers in the Oruzgan Province of Afghanistan, raising the number of lives saved to 601.
• Nearly Two Million Pakistanis Displaced by Offensive Against Taliban VOA 26 May 2009 -- Pakistan's military says its troops have recaptured a large swath of territory in and around Swat Valley.
• Pakistani forces secure stronghold of Taliban militants IRNA 26 May 2009 -- Pakistani security forces have secured a stronghold of Taliban militants in Swat Valley after strong resistance.
• Pakistan Military Kills 29 Militants in Northwest VOA 26 May 2009 -- Pakistan's military says its troops have killed 29 militants in the northwestern Swat Valley over the past 24 hours.
• PAKISTAN: Fear amid reports of landmine-laying in Mingora IRIN 26 May 2009 -- People in Mingora living in a heightened state of fear after reports of Taliban militants laying landmines.

Defense Policy / Programs

• North Korea, Iran Issue Early Challenges To 'Obama Doctrine' RFE/RL 26 May 2009 -- US President Obama came to office promising to explore ways to talk with countries hostile to the United States.
• Gates Decries 'Fear-Mongering' in Guantanamo Debate AFPS 26 May 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates: ‘Fear-mongering’ is clouding the national debate about closing Guantanamo Bay.
• Researchers narrow Gulf War Syndrome causes Army News 26 May 2009 -- Research completed and analyzed over the past year has narrowed the underlying causes of Gulf War Syndrome to three factors.
• Air Force officials fund new generation of energy efficient unmanned aircraft AFNS 26 May 2009 -- USAF OSR officials funding a project to integrate solar power cheaply and easily into unmanned aircraft.
• Space Command officials exceed GPS standard AFNS 26 May 2009 -- USAF Space Command officials maintain the Global Positioning System constellation that now has 6 more satellites than the standard.
• Space operations vital to Air Force, nation AFNS 26 May 2009 -- USAF officials discussed the importance of space as a warfighting domain before members of the Senate May 20 on Capitol Hill.
• Last Utah ANG KC-135E Stratotanker retires AFNS 26 May 2009 -- The last KC-135 "E" model Stratotanker assigned to the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing flew its final flight May 21.
• Servicemembers save money by clearing Alaskan bombing range AFNS 26 May 2009 -- American servicemembers clear ordnance and munitions at Joint Pacific Alaskan Range Complex Yukon training area.
• Ordnance Center, schools host symbolic ending to an era on Aberdeen Army News 26 May 2009 -- Reviewing the Ordnance Corps' 197-year history, Brig. Gen. Lynn A. Collyar said the Corps will remain strong as it begins its new chapter at Fort Lee.
• Eglin gate guards wear new uniforms AFNS 26 May 2009 -- Civilian guards at Eglin Air Force Base wearing new uniforms that are standard set by Department of the Air Force Security Forces Center officials.
• CTF 151 Strengthens International Ties Against Somali Piracy Navy NewsStand 26 May 2009 -- Commander of Combined Task Force 151 and the commanding officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg hosted discussion on counterpiracy.
• CARAT 2009 Marks 15 Years of Enhancing Maritime Cooperation Navy NewsStand 26 May 2009 -- The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise series held a ceremony to celebrate milestone.
• U.S. Army North and Hurricane Response Army News 26 May 2009 -- United States Army North (Fifth Army) has been working with its partners to prepare for the June 1 start of hurricane season.
• Comfort Arrives in Panama, Offers Daily Medical Services Navy NewsStand 26 May 2009 -- Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort arrived in Panama May 24 as part of Continuing Promise 2009.
• Russia-Belarus firm to export Pechora-2M systems to 5 countries RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- Russia-Belarus group Defense Systems will supply Pechora-2M air defense systems to five countries.
• India rejects Russian aerial tankers over poor maintenance RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- India has dropped Russia from a $1-bln tender to supply six aerial tankers for IAF due to poor after-sales maintenance services.
• France Opens its First Military Base in Gulf Region VOA 26 May 2009 -- French President Sarkozy has inaugurated France's first military base in the Gulf region.
• France opens military base in Persian Gulf RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- France opened a permanent military base in the Persian Gulf, in a bid to bolster security in the region.
• Iran Sends Warships to International Waters VOA 26 May 2009 -- Iranian media: Iran has sent 6 warships to international waters, including the Gulf of Aden, just days after it test-fired a new ballistic missile.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 26 May 2009
• Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5-26-09 The White House 26 May 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for May 26, 2009
• Boeing KC-767J Aerial Refueling Tankers Join Active Air Wing in Japan Boeing 26 May 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that three KC-767J aerial refueling tankers recently achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and have been placed in an active air wing in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
• General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products to Produce Reactive Armor for Stryker Vehicles General Dynamics 26 May 2009 -- General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a contract valued at more than $150 million to qualify and produce reactive armor tile sets for the Stryker family of vehicles.
• Raytheon Team Selected for U.S. Army Battle Command Development Contract Raytheon 26 May 2009 -- A team led by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received an indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity award for the U.S. Army Battle Command Development contract.
• Raytheon to Build More AESA Radars for U.S. Navy Super Hornets Raytheon 26 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $54 million U.S. Navy contract to retrofit Super Hornet block II aircraft with APG-79 active electronically scanned array radars.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 26 May 2009
• Is A New Russia-Georgia War On The Horizon? RFE/RL 26 May 2009 -- As Georgia marked Independence Day, it looked increasingly like a country on the brink.
• Georgia wants Swiss involvement in Russia border post talks RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- Georgia wants Switzerland to be involved in talks with Russia on opening a border control checkpoint.
• Georgia ready for talks with Russia on opening border checkpoint RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- Georgia is ready to begin talks with Russia on opening a border control checkpoint between the two countries.
• Georgia Signals Readiness To Discuss Opening Border Crossing With Russia RFE/RL 26 May 2009 -- Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi submitted Russian proposal to reopen the Verkhny/Zemo Lars border crossing.
• Suicide Bombing in Somalia Raises Concerns About Foreign Support VOA 26 May 2009 -- Suicide car bombing in the Somali capital raising alarm about how much foreign support al-Shabab may be receiving.
• UN Extends African Peacekeepers' Somalia Mandate VOA 26 May 2009 -- The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of African Union peacekeepers helping the Somali government.
• Over 67,000 Somalis displaced by escalating fighting, reports UN agency UN News Centre 26 May 2009 -- Number of Somalis fleeing the latest escalation of fighting in and around Mogadishu has surpassed 67,000.
• Somali Armed Group Says It's Poised to Defeat Al-Shabab VOA 26 May 2009 -- A Somali armed group has vowed to defeat hard-line insurgent groups, including al-Shabab, which aim to topple the new government.
• Inquiry into alleged abuses crucial for Sri Lanka's recovery - UN rights chief UN News Centre 26 May 2009 -- Investigating human rights abuses allegedly committed against civilians by both the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil rebels will help the country transition into a new future.
• Top UN envoy calls for national reforms in DR Congo UN News Centre 26 May 2009 -- Top United Nations official in DRC called for swift implementation of “reforms of the state services” to fight poverty and corruption.
• Two killed in incidents in Uzbekistan RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- Police officer and suicide bomber died and several people were injured in two separate attacks in the Andijan province, near the Kyrgyz border.
• Kyrgyzstan reports violence on Uzbek border, shuts checkpoints RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- Kyrgyzstan shut its border with Uzbekistan after shots were heard coming from its neighbor's Andijan province.
• Kyrgyzstan Closes Border after Shooting, Explosions in Uzbekistan VOA 26 May 2009 -- Border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been closed amid indications of shooting and explosions on the Uzbek side.

News Reports

• Obama Court Pick Faces Contentious Confirmation Battle VOA 26 May 2009 -- President Barack Obama hopes to make history with his first appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Obama Nominates First Hispanic to Supreme Court VOA 26 May 2009 -- US President Obama has nominated a female, Hispanic federal appeals court judge to replace a retiring Supreme Court justice.
• Iran's Presidential Election Campaign Heats Up VOA 26 May 2009 -- Four contenders in Iran's presidential election campaign have been criss-crossing the country in an effort to gain support ahead of the June 12 vote.
• Pakistani High Court Lifts Election Ban on Former PM Sharif VOA 26 May 2009 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has lifted a ban on opposition leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother tfrom running for elected office.
• Chinese tourist released after being quizzed for alleged spying CNA 26 May 2009 -- A Chinese tourist who was nabbed for entering into a military facility and taking pictures was released on his own recognizance.
• Chinese man arrested on suspicion of gathering intelligence CNA 26 May 2009 -- Chinese tourist arrested for allegedly trying to gather military information at a restricted area of a military compound in Taipei City.
• Southeast Asian Politicians Urge ASEAN to Suspend Burma, Consider Sanctions VOA 26 May 2009 -- Group of Southeast Asian politicians is urging ASEAN to suspend Burma's membership if it refuses to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
• Aung San Suu Kyi Testifies in Trial VOA 26 May 2009 -- The Nobel Peace laureate asserted her innocence Tuesday during testimony at the trial at Insein prison in Rangoon, where she has been held since her arrest earlier this month.
• Georgian opposition warns of 'radical acts' RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- Georgia's opposition, which has been demanding the president's resignation for around two months, said it planned to start "radical acts."
• Georgian opposition asks international community for help RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- Georgia's opposition called on the international community to help resolve the situation in the country and end the stalemate following around six weeks of protests.
• U.S. plane returns from Russia over pilot swine flu scare RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- US plane flew home from Russia's Far East after local sanitary officials ordered a medical check-up of pilot over suspected flu.
• WHO says 46 countries registered swine flu cases, 92 deaths RIA Novosti 26 May 2009 -- WHO: 12,954 people in 46 countries worldwide officially diagnosed with the A/H1N1 flue virus, with a total of 92 deaths.
• Global Swine Flu Kills 5 More VOA 26 May 2009 -- The global H1N1 swine flu death toll rose by five while Bahrain reported its first case.
• Zimbabwe President Mugabe Refuses to Remove Bank Governor VOA 26 May 2009 -- Zimbabwe President Mugabe has reportedly set off friction in the coalition government after refusing to remove the governor of the reserve bank.